The spelling of "ozalid" is not intuitive, but can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /oʊzəlɪd/ with emphasis on the first syllable. The "oza" sound is long and follows the diphthong pattern of "oh" followed by "zuh" sound. Meanwhile, the second syllable "lid" is pronounced as expected. "Ozalid" refers to a type of photographic printing process used in the reproduction of architectural plans, blueprints, and other technical documents.
Ozalid is a term that refers to a specific type of printing process used in the production of blueprints, also known as blue lines or cyanotypes. It is a chemical photographic process that reproduces architectural and engineering plans, maps, and other technical drawings.
The term "ozalid" is derived from the brand name of a German company called "Ozalid Aktiengesellschaft," which developed and popularized this printing method. The process involves a combination of light-sensitive compounds, usually a mixture of ammonium and iron salts, coated onto a white paper or transparent film.
To create an ozalid print, the original drawing or document is placed on top of the light-sensitive paper or film and exposed to a bright UV light source. The light causes a chemical reaction between the compounds and the ammonia gas released from the paper, resulting in a blue background with white lines or image areas.
Ozalid prints were widely used in the architectural and engineering fields before the advent of digital printing. They provided a cost-effective and efficient means of reproducing technical drawings with great accuracy and fidelity. Additionally, they offered excellent lightfastness and durability, ensuring that the reproduced documents would remain legible for extended periods.
Despite the advancement of digital printing technologies, the term "ozalid" is still used to indicate a specific type of blueprint or cyanotype. It has become a generic term for any blue line printing, irrespective of the actual brand or process used.
The word "ozalid" has an interesting etymology. It is derived from the surname of the man who invented the process for creating blueprints or reproducing architectural and engineering drawings, named Alphonse Louis Poitevin.
Alphonse Poitevin was a French chemist who developed a technique called "photolithography" in the late 19th century. This process used a combination of light-sensitive chemicals and exposure to produce reproductions of technical drawings. It was widely used in the field of architecture and engineering.
When Poitevin patented his technique in 1855, he named it "Photographies sur Zinc d'Alphonse Louis Poitevin", referring to the fact that zinc plates were often used in the process. Eventually, the term "Poitevin" was shortened and anglicized to "ozalid", which became a common term for this specific type of reproduction process.